As we enter 2022, you might be looking for a new job. The Great Resignation proves beneficial to job hunters or switchers, as employers are willing to provide higher pay and more benefits to stem labor shortages.
Now is an excellent time for anyone wanting to launch, boost, and even future-proof their career. If you’re looking to snag a job that is and will stay in demand, the World Economic Forum recently listed their top 10 jobs of the future.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of these jobs are tech-related. These include human-machine teaming management, data science, and algorithm bias auditing. However, all have one thing in common: they require extensive knowledge in programming.
If you’re checking if you have what it takes, you may be wondering which programming languages you need to know. Below we list some of the most in-demand languages you can learn.
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Python
Arguably, Python is the most prominent language on this list. Silicon Republic even released an article titled Python Named Most In-demand Coding Language For 2022 last December, which reported that Python surpassed Java in popularity this year.
This is mainly attributed to the language’s high-level, object-oriented nature, with additional modularity allowing code reuse. This extreme versatility means it’s used by everyone from Yahoo to NASA.
You don’t need to learn Python from scratch, either. If you already know another programming language, Let Us Python by Yashavant Kanetkar is a handy book to have. This programmer-friendly guide finds common ground between Python and other languages so you can hit the ground running.
However, if you are starting from scratch, plenty of online courses are available on sites like Udemy, Coursera, and even Python.org. Though you can learn the basics in around three months, the ever-expanding use cases of the language may mean you’ll spend longer mastering it. With demand as it is, though, it’s certainly worth it.
C#
Developed by Microsoft over two decades ago, C# remains one of the most popular programming languages today. This is due to several reasons. First, it’s a high-level language. This means you don’t have to write as much code as in other languages like Java, and extensive libraries give you endless references to work with. This also makes it faster to code with C#, even when you’re working on high-performance projects.
The use of C# is also in high demand, with many web services, mobile apps, and Microsoft’s ever-present range of solutions being used by millions across the globe. People are always on the lookout for a C# developer, so finding a job won’t be hard.
And since it’s relatively easy to learn — free online courses from sites like Codecademy can make you C#-savvy in just a few months — it won’t be challenging to qualify for projects, even if you’re starting.
Golang
Golang, or Go, was developed by Google, and these languages can be used by beginner software developers, systems engineers, and cloud developers alike. Much like C#, it’s an easy-to-learn, high-level language with only 25 keywords to remember.
It was also designed to be a general programming language used in everything from mobile apps to machine learning. However, its primary use is on the Google Cloud Platform. Here, it aids in the development of scalable network servers and even large distributed systems geared for the cloud.
Another unique feature of Go is its ability to write microservices, which allow you to test several platform elements simultaneously. As such, it’s popular with huge companies like Intel, IBM, and Facebook.
All this makes Go a worthy addition to any beginner or professional’s programming arsenal. Aside from online courses, free resources like The Little Go Book by Karl Seguin can help your learning process.
Java
However, Java arguably remains a more powerful programming language for the cloud. On its site on the language, Amazon Web Services (AWS) describes Java as a write once, run anywhere code highly suitable for decentralized services like the cloud.
This makes it perfect if you’re aiming to earn AWS training and certification. As we previously mentioned in 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Cloud Certification, the massive shift to the cloud during the pandemic led to an incredibly high demand for cloud professionals. Something that you can leverage.
Yet this platform-independent language is still great for other things, too. Its dynamic coding features mean it can run across various platforms to develop countless desktop, mobile, and cloud programs. Additional security features make it incredibly relevant as consumers become hyperaware of cybersecurity threats.
Java is also easy to learn thanks to its near-English syntax, open-source libraries, and a massive community of users. Indeed, Java has something for everyone.
With over 700 programming languages in the world today, it may be challenging to choose which one to devote your time to. But, by finding an in-demand language that lets you do the projects you’re interested in, you’ll be sure to give your career a boost.
